Connecting Woodside - Frequently Asked Questions

What is Connecting Woodside?

Connecting Woodside is an ambitious area based project which forms a key component in Glasgow's proposed cycle network. The project complements many surrounding projects and acts as 'the missing piece of the jigsaw' helping to connect Woodside/Woodlands to Sauchiehall Street, the Forth and Clyde Canal and regeneration work at Port Dundas and Sighthill. At the heart of the Connecting Woodside project is an aim to work with the community to improve streets and public spaces for walking, wheeling and cycling, rebalancing streets to reduce the dominance of road traffic.

Who are the Connecting Woodside Project Team?

Glasgow City Council

Glasgow City Council is a local authority established under the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994. Glasgow City Council is tasked with the design and delivery of the Connecting Woodside project.

Sustrans

Sustrans is the main partner and funding body for the Connecting Woodside project. Sustrans will be working in conjunction with Glasgow City Council to support the delivery of the project.

Connecting Woodside

"Connecting Woodside" is the overall brand for the initiatives in Woodside/Woodlands. It is not a separate organisation and the Connecting Woodside Project Team comprises members from both Glasgow City Council and Sustrans.

How is Connecting Woodside funded?

The Connecting Woodside project has been funded by the Scottish Government, through Sustrans Scotland's, Places for Everyone programme and contributions from Glasgow City Council's active travel budget.

What does the project aim to do?

The Connecting Woodside project is important for the areas of Woodside/Woodlands. Despite having one of the lowest car ownership rates in Scotland the area is dominated by traffic and vehicles which has a detrimental effect on residents. The Connecting Woodside project will help to grow an active travel culture so that all, young and old, feel safe and comfortable making their daily journeys. The project will also help to deliver a better quality of life in a social environment for residents and visitors to the area. Improving the cycling infrastructure and facilities will also help to make cycling safer and more accessible for all, which will encourage people to cycle instead of drive for shorter journeys.

Is the Connecting Woodside project only for cyclists?

The Connecting Woodside project is for everyone who lives, works, and spends time in the Woodside/Woodlands area. By introducing a number of measures such as enhanced crossing facilities, dropped kerbs, improved pavement surfaces and upgraded lighting, the Connecting Woodside project will aim to make the experience of moving through the Woodside/Woodlands area a more enjoyable one. Improvements to public spaces will make the local area a more enjoyable place to live and instil a sense of pride in the community.

What are the benefits of the project?

1. Woodside/Woodlands will be safer for pedestrians, cyclists and road traffic
2. An increase in cycling among residents will help to ease congestion on the roads
3. The uptake of cycling will help to improve the health and fitness of residents
4. Improvements to public space will make the local area a more enjoyable place to live
5. Residents will be able to connect better to the City Centre and to neighbouring communities.
6. A joined up network of cycle and pedestrian friendly zones to make walking, wheeling and cycling easier and more accessible for all
7. Segregated cycle tracks to make cycling safer for all cycling abilities
8. Increase in cycle facilities such as cycle parking which will help to make cycling more accessible and lessen barriers to cycling

How will you increase the number of people choosing to travel on foot and by bike?

By improving the roads, making them safer and more enjoyable, as well as making cycle routes more sympathetic to where people want to go, residents will be presented with a better alternative to using their car for short journeys.

Complementary measures will be a fundamental aspect of the programme and will encourage residents to take up cycling and to walk more. By introducing cycle hire stations in the project area it will make it easier for residents to try cycling as an alternative to car travel without the commitment of buying a bicycle. Residents and businesses will be encouraged to take part in events and activities to help them see the benefits of the project to themselves and the local area.

What has been done so far?

• We have been working on the project since 2018 and have undertaken a number of community engagement events across the local area to present designs and update the local community on the progress of the project.
• The first phase of construction was completed in July 2021 - a 1.3km long segregated cycle route on Garscube Road from Firhill Road to the underpass at Dobbies Loan, which has seen connections to the forth and Clyde canal at both Possil Road and Firhill Road.
• Enhancements completed in May 2022 at the junction of North Woodside Road/Maryhill Road/Hopehill Road to make it easier for those walking, wheeling and cycling to cross Maryhill Road.
• Dropped kerbs installed at a number of locations throughout the project area to make it easier for those walking and wheeling to get around.
• 20mph zones implemented across the whole project area to reduce vehicle speeds and make the roads safer for all users.
• We have worked with Nextbike to introduce 4 new cycle hire stations in the project area along with providing e-bikes at 4 locations.
• Installed over 100 new cycle parking spaces.
• Installed 2 secure cycle storage units in collaboration with Queens Cross Housing Association and another 13 units as part of the wider secure on street cycle storage pilot project undertaken city wide by Glasgow City Council.
• Introduced 2 electric car club vehicles at Hinshaw Street and Clarendon Place which can be used as an alternative to car ownership.

What is coming next?

Due to inflationary pressures combined with a widespread shortage of materials and labour currently affecting all civil engineering projects, we have undertaken a review of the scope of the Connecting Woodside project.

This review found there is a need to adjust the original scope of the project as was first set-out in 2017 if we are to remain in line with our available budget.

Following extensive discussions between Glasgow City Council and Sustrans, our project and funding partner, it has been agreed we should focus our resources on delivering high quality infrastructure with the greatest possible coverage across the Connecting Woodside area.

This adjustment means we will not be proceeding with a dedicated cycle facility for Woodlands Road, which would have been a highly complex and cost intensive stretch of infrastructure.

The revised plan still includes a redesigned junction at Charing Cross that links with Sauchiehall Street Avenue, a segregated cycle track on St George's Rd and a Quietway route along West Princes Street to add to the work that's already been completed. 

The attached map (PDF) [582KB] (opens new window)  shows what will now be delivered as part of the Connecting Woodside project.

The next stage of construction delivered as part of the project will see the introduction of a Quietway route Raeberry Street. This is scheduled to begin in early 2023.

It is proposed to deliver a dedicated, separated cycle track on St George's Road which will connect Sauchiehall Street Avenue and the City Centre to the existing Garscube Road cycle segregation, Claypits nature reserve and the Forth and Clyde Canal.

New cycle facilities on St George's Road will also see direct and safe connections between the proposed Quietway routes on North Woodside Road, Braid Street, West Princes Street and also the future "Underline" route at New City Road being delivered as part of the City Centre Avenues programme. 

As well as the provision of cycle facilities on St George's Road, this phase of the Connecting Woodside project proposes to introduce enhanced pedestrian crossing points, improved footway surfaces, LED street lighting and improvements to the existing green spaces.

Future phases of the Connecting Woodside project will focus on the creation of a Quietway network within the Woodside/Woodlands area. The Quietway network is currently in the design phase and the Connecting Woodside project team will seek to undertake further community engagement events to present these designs and allow local residents an opportunity to feed into the design process once the concept/preliminary designs have been produced.

What is a segregated cycle track?

A segregated cycle track incorporate a degree of separation between general traffic and a dedicated space intended for cycling. The Connecting Woodside project team proposes to use a kerb to separate and protect people cycling from motor traffic. Kerb segregated cycle tracks are preferable for those who feel uncomfortable cycling in motor traffic and make cycling journeys safer. The proposed design for the two-way cycle route on St George's Road would retain the existing kerb height between the carriageway/cycle track and the footway.

What is a "floating" bus stop?

A "floating" bus stop or bus stop bypass is a feature of a segregated cycle track where those cycling are routed around the back of a bus stop. Bus passengers alight onto the island section of footway that is bounded by the carriageway on one side and the cycle route on the other.  

Bus passengers cross the cycle track when it is safe to do so, using a crossing point that is marked by tactile paving and a mini zebra crossing. If an approaching cyclist sees a person crossing the cycle route in front of them, they should slow down or stop to let them pass before continuing.

It is not a reasonable option to terminate a two-way cycle route at a bus stop and ask cyclists to merge into a flow of motor traffic as this would be unsafe. Especially at a particularly uncomfortable location, i.e. where a bus may well be pulling into the kerbside, and then ask cyclists to re-enter a segregated cycle route at the point where a bus may well be moving away from the bus stop.

What is a "continuous" footway?

"Continuous" footway is a term used to describe an uninterrupted footway that extends across a side road. This type of arrangement is intended to provide enhanced priority and safety for people walking, wheeling and cycling.

Continuous Footways provide priority to people walking and cycling across side road junctions over turning motor traffic. This is achieved by using materials and geometric design which show footways (and cycle tracks) unbroken through the side road junction. The most effective continuous treatments achieve "visual priority" using materials, although road markings and appropriate vertical signage can be used to show of drivers to yield to pedestrians and cyclists.

Continuous Footways are also a tool to indicate to drivers that they are changing environment, usually from a main road with through-traffic function to a neighbourhood street which has a largely access function.

What is a Quietway?

A Quietway is a road or street that is low in both traffic volume and speed. They provide direct and easy routes for people to follow and act as an alternative to cycling on busy main roads.

How will the proposals be communicated to residents and businesses?

There are a number of stages the individual schemes will go through before any permanent changes are made.

Design- Each of the areas will go through design stages to ensure that the proposed changes are feasible and meet the needs of the project and affected residents/businesses.

1. Concept/preliminary design - this is a first draft of the proposals which will then be presented to the local community through public engagement to allow the project team to gather vital local knowledge and allow people to comment on and help to shape the designs.
2. Detailed Design - this is the final design that will be presented to the local community through public engagement and is intended to inform people of the design that will be taken forward. The detailed design will take account of feedback received during the concept/preliminary design stage.  

Public Engagement- The Connecting Woodside Project Team will engage with residents, businesses and commuters who will be impacted by the changes to allow people to comment on and help shape the design process.

The process for Public Engagement will be a mixture of;

• Public consultation events within the project area
• Web based online consultation pages where electronic copies of the design proposals will be accessible
• Hard copies of the design proposals will be accessible at relevant local public buildings such as libraries and community centres
• letter drops to inform people within the project area that a public engagement event is taking place
• On street advertising to further highlight that a public engagement exercise is taking place

Implementation -The proposed and agreed plans will then be implemented over an agreed timescale.

How can residents and businesses get involved and have their say?

You will be able to engage directly with the Connecting Woodside project team by attending a public consultation event or by commenting directly on any web based consultation pages.